Tightening a forestay on 42i

[daveinthemed]

I have a standard rigged 2008 model, 42i with a roller reefer on the headsail. I cant see anyway to tighten the forestay. Can anyone help me on how to get less foresaty sag.
Dave.

[rene460]

Hi Dave,

Forestay tension is balanced by some combination of upper shroud tension and back stay tensions.  On Mast head rigs with straight spreaders (not swept back), it is all back stay, fractional rigs with swept back spreaders, it is more the upper shrouds which terminate at about the same height as the forestay, but assisted by the back stay if the mast is not too flexible.  Loosen the jib halliard before tightening the shrouds and/or back stay.  

Look out the Selden guide referred to in many threads around rig tension for a more complete description, it is quite generally applicable for all rigs, however if your mast is not Selden, it's manufacturer may also have helpful advice on their web site.

rene460

[daveinthemed]

Rene,
Thanks for the advice, i will try to do as you say.
dave.

[kordakiskostas]

Dave my suggestion is not to change the shords tension since
it is a discontinuous ones and they are there to adjust the pre-bent of your mast.
I have raced several boats of this configuration.
Only the continues ringing needs adjustments.
Just tighten your backstay and adjust your lower ones
since you have to lose the front ones and tight the aft ones
as much as it is needed so as to have a str8 mast again.
Put your eye in the mast’s groovy to be sure.